Admin

How clean is clean when taking possession

By
Real Estate Agent with Century 21 Bamber Realty

I recently sold a property to a very nice elderly lady. I strictly represented the buyer and another agent and brokerage represented the property of an estate sale. When we originally viewed the vacant property is was in okay condition. You could tell that the floors had been washed and the fridge clean, etc...

On the day of possession we did our walk-through and it was obvious that the property had not been touched since we were last through. The listing agent had not even returned to the property to get his lockbox which was still on the entrance way door. Anyways, we did our walk-through and all was satisfactory. Later that evening, I received a call from my client saying that the cats had got in behind that washer/dryer and now they were filthy. She was upset that the previous seller had not cleaned behind the appliances as she had done on her property that she had sold. I told her that I would hire a cleaning company to come over and thoroughly clean her new home for her. I have sold many home before and have hired professionals to clean homes for both buyer and seller clients... but, I have also done many walk-throughs were the condition of the homes were a lot worse and the buyers were fine with the condition.

My question is... should of the other Realtor had his seller clean behind all of the appliances before listing the property? How clean is clean?

As always, visit my Calgary Real Estate website for further information regarding the Calgary Real Estate market.

Show All Comments Sort:
Terry Chenier
Homelife Glenayre Realty - Mission, BC

Miranda,

The seller realtor should have been given the opportunity to do this otherwise it comes off his commission. Hire Molly Maid or whom ever.

Apr 14, 2009 06:39 PM
Brenda Harmon
Century 21 Beal, Inc College Station, Texas - College Station, TX

Miranda,

As a buyer's agent if I thought the cleanliness of the house was going to be a problem I would have written that the house had to be professionally cleaned prior to closing.  You know your client and how persnickety they are or are not.

Apr 15, 2009 04:34 PM
Doug, Marjorie & Kevin McKay
RE/MAX REAL ESTATE MOUNTAIN VIEW - Chestermere, AB
Calgary & Chestermere - 403-207-1776

The contract in Alberta states that the property will be substantially in the same condition that it was when it was viewed.  In an estate sale there may not be any one that is willing to take responsibility for it.  You did the best you could.. If you were to have written in the offer that the house were to be professionally cleaned before possession that would have been a term that the lawyer could work with, but if no one want to make a concession it makes it difficult and not worth it to take it to small claims, so your solution works best.  Hopefully she will remember and refer you to her friends.,,.

Apr 28, 2009 04:48 PM